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Most graphing calculators will allow you to work with sequences and series, and some even have a dedicated mode for this function. Here, we'll walk you through some basic instructions on using a TI-84 Plus CE calculator's functionality to solve IB-style problems.
For a TI-84 Plus CE:
If you have a TI-84, your calculator has a dedicated "sequence mode" that allows you to work with sequences in theY= editor. To access it:
Press mode
Select SEQ from the line that says FUNC ,PARAMETRIC ,POLAR ,SEQ
Once in this mode, you can define and plot sequences from the Y= menu as follows:
Press Y= . You'll see nMin= ,u(n)= , and u(nMin)= (ignore u(nMin)= for now: you would use this to construct a recursive sequence, which we haven't covered)
Type the starting index (almost always n=1 for IB-style problems) in nMin=
Type the explicit formula (e.g. 3n+1 for un=3n+1) in u(n)=
If you want to change the window or final term un, press window and edit nMax , Xmin ,Xmax ,Ymin , and Ymax as desired
Press graph to see the sequence graphed on the plane.
If you want to view the sequence terms from your equation in a table instead of on the graph, press 2nd →graph .
To compute a finite series (e.g. n=1∑10(3n+1):
Press math →0
Fill in the parameters of the sigma function, making sure to press alpha →log to write n as your variable inside of the sigma function
Checkpoint
Find the first value of n for which the arithmetic sequence 25n+6 is greater than 100.
Select the correct option
Checkpoint
Find the value of n=1∑15n2n.
Select the correct option
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